The Ontario College of Veterinarians is investigating vets who practice at Marineland, but won’t reveal the scope or purpose of the probe, nor the number of vets involved.

The Ontario College of Veterinarians is investigating vets who practice at Marineland, but won’t reveal the scope or purpose of the probe, nor the number of vets involved.

There is no indication that the College’s investigation is related to a series of Star stories in which former Marineland trainers criticized the quality of animal care at the Niagara Falls tourist attraction.

In a statement to the Star, Marineland lawyer Andrew Burns emphasized the College is not investigating the veterinary care of animals or the park itself.

Jan Robinson, registrar and CEO of the College, said she can’t talk about what is — or isn’t — being investigated.

“It is a look at anything related to the practice of veterinary medicine relating to the issue we’re looking at,” she said, adding the probe began in late April and is in the “final stages.”

Robinson said the results of the investigation would be sent to the College’s executive committee. It has options that include a decision to close the file with “no further concerns” or take such action as a “letter of advice.” In these cases, nothing is released to the public.

Or it could decide the matter is more serious and send it to a disciplinary panel that could invoke more serious penalties, including suspension or the loss of a vet’s licence. Disciplinary hearings are public.

There are, said Robinson, “always two sides of a story and the college has to investigate both sides of the story.”

She said its role is to be “fair and appropriate (because) it is related to the public interest.”

None of the vets who work at Marineland responded to the Star’s questions about the College’s investigation.

The Star began a series of stories on Marineland last August in which former trainers blamed poor water and lack of sufficient staff for animal health issues, including death. Eventually 15 whistleblowers spoke to the Star.

Marineland has always maintained there are no such problems at the marine mammal and land animal facility, privately owned by John Holer.

Robinson said this case falls under the category of “registrar’s investigation” — unlike a formal written complaint to the college. In this type of case, the registrar is “made aware of information that is brought to (her attention)” and decides there are “reasonable and probable grounds” for an investigation.

On another matter, she said her organization continues to work to have zoos and aquariums in Ontario accredited by the college. By law, Ontario vets must work in or form a facility that holds a College certificate of accreditation — with the exception of privately owned facilities. (Individual vets are still accredited by the College.)